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Greg Zyla: Reader recalls 'Madman' Muntz Jet automobile
Q: Hi, Greg, and thanks for all the old-time car columns. I really enjoy them and they bring back great memories. I'm now 81 years old and remember a car called the Muntz Jet that was built in the USA. Can you give me some info on the Muntz Jet and how many years it was offered for sale? Charles K., retired and happy in Illinois.
A: Charles, I'd be glad to. The Muntz Jet was the brainchild of Earl "Madman" Muntz, who was one of Southern California's best-known used-car dealers and a true inventor and entrepreneur.
Originally, Muntz teamed up with auto racing legend Frank Kurtis, who built all of those midget race cars that ran at tracks like Ascot Park and Chicago's Soldier Field following World War II. Kurtis would go on to build a streetable sports car and introduced a Kurtis Sport in 1948. His car featured 10 aluminum panels, a fiberglass hood and a removable hardtop and soft top.
Kurtis customers could choose any drivetrain they wanted, and Kurtis would make it happen. However, most buyers choose a 110-horsepower Flathead Ford V-8.
Now, when I use the word "buyers," one must keep in mind that in 1948, Kurtis operated out of a small shop and built his cars by hand. Thus, only 36 Kurtis Sports were ever built, which is when "Madman" Muntz came into the picture and purchased the entire Kurtis operation for an estimated $200,000.
Muntz then renamed the Kurtis Sport a Muntz Jet, and made it more consumer friendly by stretching the wheelbase from 100 to 113 inches and adding a back seat and Cadillac 331-inch V-8 that produced 160 horsepower. In his first year of 1951, Muntz built 28 Jets with a retail price of $5,500, and then announced he was moving his entire operation to Evanston, Ill. There, he made more changes, replacing the aluminum body with steel and stretching the wheelbase to 116 inches. The Cadillac engine was replaced first by a Lincoln Flathead V-8 with 154 horses, then with Lincoln's new 317 V-8, which produced 160 horses. Muntz sold his Jet through the 1954 model year.
Muntz said 394 Jets were built, and it is estimated that today some 49 survive. Movie stars, of which he was friend with many, usually bought them, but from the beginning Muntz was losing money on every sale as production costs were very high.
Muntz, however, is known for more than his "crazy" showmanship, car antics and TV commercials. He was a respected inventor and designer, as his Muntz 4-Track Tape Player system, the forerunner of l the 8-Track, made him millions. He made even more millions by inventing things like Muntz black-and-white TVs that sold for $100, Muntz stereos and the first-ever big-screen TV with Sony components. His used car lot was called "Elgin" after the Illinois town where he was born in 1914. He was also a Kaiser-Frazer new car dealer, and a great one at that.
There's way more on Muntz, so check it out at www.madmanmuntzmovie.com.
Muntz dropped out of high school to open his first used-car dealership with a $500 loan that his mom co-signed for. When he died in 1987 from lung cancer, he had left a legacy that to this day, few if any can ever match.
Thanks for the question, and if you don't have a computer, visit a family member or friends so you can check out Madman Muntz's homepage.
Greg Zyla writes weekly for GateHouse Media and welcomes reader questions on collector cars or auto nostalgia at email@example.com or at 303 Roosevelt St., Sayre, PA 18840.


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SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Athletic footwear and apparel giant Nike Inc. plans to expand its operations in Oregon and hire hundreds of workers but wants the government to promise that tax rules won't change, prompting a special session of the Legislature.
Gov. John Kitzhaber said he'll call lawmakers together Friday in Salem to create a new law authorizing him to grant Nike's wish, and legislative leaders said they'll go along.
The Legislature is due to meet in its regular annual session beginning Jan. 14, but Kitzhaber said Nike needed certainty sooner. The company was being wooed by other states, he said.
"Getting Oregonians back to work is my top priority," Kitzhaber said in a news conference.
Nike wants an agreement that its state income tax will continue to be based solely on the company's Oregon sales, regardless of any future changes in the tax code, for a negotiated time period. Before 2005, Oregon also included a company's in-state payroll and property in the corporate tax formula.
Kitzhaber is asking for authority to make such a guarantee if a company invests at least $150 million and hires 500 or more workers. Nike has not specified its expansion plans, and spokeswoman Mary Remuzzi wouldn't say how many people would be hired beyond the 500 required under the proposed legislation. The company hasn't decided where it would expand.
"We support this proposed legislation as a way to help us continue to grow in Oregon," Don Blair, Nike vice president and chief financial officer, said in a statement.
The proposal is not a tax break for Nike but rather a tool to offer tax certainty to companies planning big expansions, Kitzhaber said.
Nike employs 44,000 people globally, including 8,000 in Washington County, home to its world headquarters in the Portland suburb of Beaverton. The company said its Oregon workers make an average wage of more than $100,000.
Kitzhaber said he expects the Legislature to adopt the legislation in a one-day special session. House and Senate leaders from both parties responded positively to the governor's proposal.
"This is a rare opportunity and we're not going to miss it," said Democratic state Senate President Peter Courtney.
Nike began discussions with the governor's office about a month ago, Kitzhaber said.
The governor and Nike pointed to an economic impact study by AECOM that said a potential Nike expansion could create as many as 12,000 jobs and $2 billion a year in economic impact by 2020. But the actual impact is murky. The study was based on a theoretical Nike expansion, not necessarily any specific plans the company has. It counts hiring by Nike as well as a multiplier effect from those workers buying more goods and services.
Nike has been selling off brands and making other moves to focus on its most profitable businesses, which include its namesake Nike brand, Jordan, Converse and Hurley.
It sold its Cole Haan brand to private equity firm Apax Partners for $570 million in November and in October said clothing licensing company Iconix Brand Group Inc. would buy Umbro for $225 million.
Like most consumer product makers, Nike has faced rising costs for packaging, fuel and other raw materials.
In its most recent fiscal first-quarter, net income fell 12 percent as the boost from higher sales was offset by increased costs and ad spending. The company said then it was facing a slowdown of futures order growth, particularly in China. Those are orders from retailers of products that are scheduled for delivery between September 2012 and January 2013.
In November, Nike said it was boosting its dividend payment and planning a 2-for-1 stock split.
Companies typically split their stocks when they think the price of an individual share has gotten too expensive or if the stock is trading too far above similar companies' stock. Nike stock is up about 2 percent since the beginning of the year.
Nike built its current headquarters campus near Beaverton in 1990. It had a scuffle with city leaders in 2005 when it filed a lawsuit to find out if Beaverton leaders had plans for annexing company property. A judge found that city officials were in contempt for deliberately withholding public documents from Nike, including a draft annexation plan that showed city leaders considered forcing the company's headquarters into city limits in 2002. Nike got a 35-year exemption from forced annexation in Beaverton.
Either the governor or the Legislature itself can call lawmakers into session at times other than the state Constitution specifies.
For much of the state's history, the Legislature's regular sessions have been held every other year, at the beginning of odd-numbered years. That's the kind of session the Legislature is scheduled to begin early next year.
In recent years, the Legislature has moved to meet annually, running briefer sessions in even-numbered years. Those led to voter approval of a constitutional amendment in 2010 that called for annual sessions.
Records list 38 special sessions since Oregon's statehood, ranging from one day on eight occasions to 37 days in 1982.


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Inauguration 2013: 5 things to know about today's events
1. President Barack Obama was officially sworn in for his second term yesterday. The Twentieth Amendment sets Jan. 20 as the date of inauguration for the incoming (or re-elected) president. If the 20th falls on a Sunday, as it did this year, a private swearing-in ceremony takes place on the 20th, and Inauguration Day festivities take place on the 21st.
2. Vice President Joe Biden also was sworn in yesterday and will take a public oath of office today as well. Biden will be sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
3. Obama will be sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Roberts also swore in Obama in 2009.
4. Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Obama will use a Bible of King's during the swearing-in ceremony.
5. The expected inauguration schedule is as follows:
- 11:45 a.m. EST: Biden sworn in
- 11:55 a.m.: Obama sworn in
- Noon: Obama's inaugural address
- 12:20 p.m.: Kelly Clarkson performs
- 12:30 p.m.: The Rev. Luis Leon delivers the benediction
- 1 p.m.: Inaugural luncheon
- 2:30 p.m.: Inaugural parade


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'Planet of the Apes' beat out 'The Purge' and 'Sex Tape'
NEW YORK – The summer box office continued to lack mojo, as the R-rated "Sex Tape" failed to turn on moviegoers over a weekend where "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" maintained its rule.
20th Century Fox's science fiction sequel outmuscled a trio of new films to top the North American box office for the second-straight week with $36 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. The acclaimed sequel to 2011's reboot of the chimp franchise has now made $139 million domestically in two weeks.
Its closest completion over the weekend was the home-invasion horror thriller "The Purge: Anarchy," written and directed by James DeMoncaco. Universal's low-budget sequel to last year's surprise hit, "The Purge," opened with $28.4 million, down from the $34.1 million the original scared up on opening weekend.
Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal, though, noted the stronger competition this time around and the overall "depressed" business at movie theaters. Weekend revenue was down 24 percent from the same weekend last year, continuing a cold summer for Hollywood that's more than 20 percent off the pace of summer of 2013.
But "Anarchy," which imagines an America where all crime is legal for 12 hours every year, was made for only $9 million, making it immediately profitable for Universal. Such success is the envy of most movies, particularly Sony's "Sex Tape," a starrier, more expensive release made for about $40 million that opened with $15 million.
The Jason Segel, Cameron Diaz R-rated comedy failed to entice moviegoers or critics. "Sex Tape," in which a married couple makes a pornographic home video to stoke the flames of their lagging sex life, came in fourth place behind Disney's "Planes: Fire & Rescue." The animated sequel to 2013's "Cars"-offshoot, "Planes," opened with $18 million.
"It was kind of a middling weekend unless you were the top film," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for box-office tracker Rentrak. Dergarabedian looks ahead optimistically to upcoming releases "Lucy," starring Scarlett Johansson, and the Marvel space film "Guardians of the Galaxy," of which he noted: "A lot of pressure is being put on that movie. It may be the last big summer blockbuster."
But as July turns to August, Hollywood's summer is certain to be a down one.
In a limited release of 68 theaters, Zach Braff's crowd-funded "Wish I Was Here" also arrived with a tiny weekend opening of $495,000 for Focus Features. The film, Braff's directorial follow-up to 2004's "Garden State," was much criticized for depending on fan contributions for funding. "Wish I Was Here" will expand to more theaters next week, but it will fall far short of the $26.8 million "Garden State" earned.
Box office
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released on Monday.
1. "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," $36 million ($61 million international).
2. "The Purge: Anarchy," $28.4 million ($420,000 international).
3. "Planes: Fire & Rescue," $18 million ($9 million international).
4. "Sex Tape," $15 million ($3 million international).
5. "Transformers: Age of Extinction," $10 million ($81.2 million international).
6. "Tammy," $7.6 million.
7. "22 Jump Street," $4.7 million ($3.2 million international).
8. "How to Train Your Dragon 2," $3.8 million ($14 million international).
9. "Maleficent," $3.3 million ($8 million international).
10. "Earth to Echo," $3.3 million.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada), according to Rentrak:
1. "Transformers: Age of Extinction," $81.2 million.
2. "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," $61 million.
3. "Tiny Times 3.0," $30 million.
4. "The House That Never Dies," $21 million.
5. "How to Train Your Dragon 2," $14 million.
6. "Step Up: All In" $10.3 million.
7. "Planes: Fire & Rescue," $9 million.
8. "Maleficent," $8 million.
9. "Blended," $6.7 million.
10. "The Fault in Our Stars," $4.6 million.
Universal and Focus are owned by NBC Universal, a unit of Comcast Corp.; Sony, Columbia, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; Paramount is owned by Viacom Inc.; Disney, Pixar and Marvel are owned by The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is owned by Filmyard Holdings LLC; 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight are owned by 21st Century Fox; Warner Bros. and New Line are units of Time Warner Inc.; MGM is owned by a group of former creditors including Highland Capital, Anchorage Advisors and Carl Icahn; Lionsgate is owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.; IFC is owned by AMC Networks Inc.; Rogue is owned by Relativity Media LLC.


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If it takes the political class this much to punish a handful of people, almost all of us are safe. They simply don't have the capacity to be a really major nuisance.
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Hi, everyone! My name is Noodle. My parents gave me a silly name to match my breed – a Schnoodle. I know what you're thinking – "What the heck is a Schnoodle?!?" It is a Schnauzer/Poodle cross. I'm quite fancy!
You're probably wondering what I did to deserve this awesome space of my own. It's quite simple, really: I'm just me!
My story starts on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. That's the date that my mom found me wandering the streets near her dad's house (Hi, Grandpa!!!). She thought I was an old dog. My ribs were showing and my hair was really long, matted with poo, and I was covered in fleas. I even had some worms (that's really embarrassing).
My mom was in quite a predicament – she was only visiting Grandpa while on her lunch break from work. Lucky for me my Grandpa is the best and he let me stay on his screened in porch while she finished out her day. When she got done with work (she left early), she found out from some of Grandpa's neighbors that I had been living under a mobile home on his street for about 2 weeks. Then came something so super scary – Mom debated taking me to the….p-p-p-pound! Eesh! That word gives me goosebumps. Anyway, she was conflicted because she already had a dog – my best friend in the whole world, Khia -and a cat – my wannabe arch nemesis but deep down really good friend, Jamison. She was scared that I could get them sick. Plus she thought I still had an owner out there looking for me. Little did she know that I got dumped off. For this reason, I am still deathly afraid of going in the car.
Anywho, back to my journey to wonderfulness. Mom called my Dad and Dad (he's a great guy), he told my Mom to just bring me home and they would figure things out.
Before Mom took me home, we made a stop at the greatest place – PetsMart grooming center. She called them on the way and told them we would be there in 30 minutes. When we got there, everyone felt so bad for me. They told Mom it was going to take awhile and that they'd call her when they were done. In the meantime, Mom went to go change out of her work clothes and pick up Dad. She was waiting and waiting and finally called the groomers to find out if I was done. Turns out, I had been done for 45 minutes but they were loving on me and playing with me. They said I was the greatest! They gave me my very first toy and made me a collar out of a harness that someone returned.
Next step: HOME! Mom and Dad took me to my HOME! It was a very scary transition. I had trouble sleeping. Mom tells me that I would fall asleep sitting up and as soon as I would drift off, I would jolt up and move somewhere else. I was scared of everything, including things that didn't even move.
Mom and Dad took me to the vet and got me medicines and my vaccines. They found out I was only about 6 months old! That night I got the best surprise – I SLEPT IN A BED!!!! Well, more like I did the whole drift/jolt thing all night but you get the point.
Now, here we are almost 3 years later. I live the greatest life a dog can live and that's why I wanted to write this blog. I want to share all my adventures with everyone! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.


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With a day to think about it...
Matt Bryant's 62-yard kick was more impressive than previous 63-yarders. First, because he didn't kick with a performance-enhancing plate in his shoe, and second, because there was no way anyone saw TB beating Philly. I recognize those reasons are fairly flimsy. So the real reason I'm a fan is because it happened yesterday and anything that happens today is better than things that happened decades ago, right? Of course.
(Lawrence Tynes and Morten Andersen weren't kicking slouches, either.)
We'll all look back and realize that yesterday represented Michael Vick's biggest breakthrough game.
We'll all look back and realize that Ben Roethlisberger's career never got better than his second season. It just got much worse.
(And what a Super Bowl jinx for Matt Hasselbeck, too.)
So much for my attempt to be ahead of the curve in proclaiming the Panthers as the NFL's No. 2 team. I'm going to have to give this week's title to the Pats, almost by default. (The Colts? Save it.)
Leon Washington and Wali Lundy are just the latest examples of how the NFL Draft is a wildly inexact science.
The Texans might not crack your weekly rankings Top 20 just yet, but if you had to invest in a team's success over the next decade, I'll bet they would.
It wasn't Joey Harrington being Joey Harrington that cost the Dolphins the game; it was Harrington doing his best Favre impression that cost the Dolphins the game.
The Redskins' season is as good as over. Al Saunders was arguably Dan Snyder's biggest bust signing yet. Oh, and bench Mark Brunell.
It's time for the Broncos to start Jay Cutler.
Will critics demand we put an asterisk next to Shawne Merriman's "NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year" award?
Be honest: Who had the Jets at 4 wins... overall, let alone 4 wins by Week 7?
I wasn't one of those knee-jerk critics who thought Dennis Green should be fired after the Cards' MNF debacle. Losing to the lowly Raiders, however, is another story: That's a fireable offense; he's obviously lost this team.
MNF Preview: If Tony K. can't have the game of his season with T.O., Parcells and a huge intradivision matchup, maybe he SHOULD retire after this season.
Comments Question: What are your one-line thoughts about the NFL Week That Was?


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Burn Notice Targets Heroes Alum Adrian Pasdar for Recurring Role
Coming this summer to Burn Notice: A Heroes reunion!
Adrian Pasdar, who played Nathan Petrelli on the NBC superhero series, is joining Burn Notice's seventh season for a multi-episode arc, USA announced Wednesday.
Pasdar, 47, will play a charismastic yet unpredictable former special ops soldier named Randall Burke, who is now suspected of running a freelance terrorist ring. A wild card, Burke will either show you the time of your life or try to take you down, so here's hoping Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) gets on his good side.
Photos: TV shows we want to reunite
The gig reunites Pasdar with fellow Heroes vet Jack Coleman, who will also recur this season as a high-ranking CIA officer who pushes Michael hard. It also brings Pasdar back to USA, where he played the President on last summer's mini-series Political Animals. He also recurs on The Lying Game.
Season 7 of Burn Notice will show the aftereffects of the mysterious deal Michael struck in the Season 6 finale. The new season, which will also feature the show's 100th episode, will premiere this summer.
Are you excited to Pasdar on Burn Notice?
View original Burn Notice Targets Heroes Alum Adrian Pasdar for Recurring Role at TVGuide.com
Other Links From TVGuide.com


text: This table shows the number of peaks Rafal Leszko has climbed by year for self-chosen top priority lists (only first ascents of peaks are counted, not subsequent repeat climbs). Registered users of Peakbagger.com can change their list priority values by navigating to a list page and updating the drop-down value in the upper left corner. The top 20 lists by priority (lowest numbers) are the ones that will appear in this chart. To rearrange the columns of your chart, update your list priority values on the list pages.


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Postseason tips Monday for girls
When regionals tip Monday night, it's win or go home for Class 1A and 2A girls basketball teams across the state.
The top Star Courier-area squads will battle in two ruggedly competitive regionals — the Class 1A Annawan Regional and the Class 2A Kewanee Regional.
Here's a preview of next week's postseason play:
Class 1A Annawan Regional
Three teams getting state recognition in Class 1A, headlined by the No. 2 Bravettes, gather in Annawan for an All-LTC battle for regional supremacy.
Wethersfield and Stark County are 0-3 against the Bravettes this season, and face the additional challenge of playing on Annawan's home floor.
"We are well aware of what Wethersfield and Stark County are capable of," said Annawan coach Jason Burkiewicz. "They are looking to one time us."
"The benefits of being on our home court are huge," added Burkiewicz. "I told the girls early in the season we put in for a regional because we have been traveling long distances the past couple of years. We also know we have not lost in two seasons on our home court. There is no doubt we shoot a much higher percentage in our own gym and we will very much enjoy the atmosphere our fans will provide."
The Bravettes — 23-2 going into Thursday night's home finale with Chillicothe IVC — are led by all-state center Celina VanHyfte, and junior guards Megan Foes and Maddie Jackson.
"What we have to do to win a regional is be who we are," said Burkiewicz. "That may sound weird but that has been a big part of our problem in the past. In elimination games we have put added pressure on ourselves and it has altered our approach to the game. All we have to do is be the team we have been all season long and make somebody beat us, not beat ourselves."
Like top-seeded Annawan, No. 2 seed Wethersfield enjoys an opening-round bye, but will likely face a Stark County team in the semifinals that's beaten the Lady Geese twice this season.
"In the 10 years I've been in coaching, this is one of the toughest regionals I've been a part of," said Wethersfield coach Becky Ince.
The second-year Wethersfield coach just hopes to have all hands on deck come Wednesday night.
"We're just hoping to keep everyone healthy," said Ince. "We started the season with some health issues and now we're ending the season with some kids under the weather."
The Lady Geese were without point Kristen Parsons, due to illness, in Wednesday's 64-50 loss at Annawan.
Handling the inside presence of Stark County, and potentially Annawan in the title game, will be key for the Lady Geese.
"We have to take care of the basketball and be more physical inside," said Ince, noting both the Bravettes and Lady Rebels exposed her team's lack of size in the paint.
"If we don't correct that, we'll be turning in our jerseys earlier than we hoped," said Ince.
If No. 3 Stark County can take care of business against Galva in Monday's opening round, the Annawan Regional will boast three 20-win teams.
"I believe that it is one of the toughest regionals in the state," said Stark County coach Scott Paxson.
Stark County's regional draw mirrors its LTC tourney draw — Galva in the opener, Wethersfield in the semifinals and potentially Annawan in the championship game.
"I think Annawan is a clear cut favorite to win," said Paxson, whose team has two losses to the Bravettes. "They are very good at what they do and make adjustments well."
"Our team is looking forward to regional play," added Paxson. "We will be shooting for our 11th regional title in the last 20 years."
After consecutive losses to Annawan in the LTC tourney title game and Ridgewood on Senior Night, the Lady Rebels bounced back to beat Wethersfield and finish the regular season on a strong note.
"In order for us to have a chance at winning the regional we will have to continue the defensive and rebounding efforts that we applied all season, but especially in the last three weeks," said Paxson. "Offensively we will need to keep turnovers down, make free throws and finish around the basket."
Monday, Feb. 4 — No. 4 ROWVA vs. No. 5 Ridgewood at 6 p.m. and No. 3 Stark County vs. No. 6 Galva at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 6 — No. 1 Annawan vs. ROWVA-Ridgewood winner at 6 p.m. and No. 2 Wethersfield vs. Stark County-Galva winner at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 7 — Championship game, 7:30 p.m.
The Annawan Regional champion advances to the Oglesby Illinois Valley CC Sectional and will play the Serena Regional champion at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11.
Newark is the top seed at the Serena Regional.
Class 2A Kewanee Regional
The host Boiler Girls will try to shake a five-game losing skid at home tonight against Bureau Valley and enter the postseason on a positive note.
"It's time for us to play basketball," said Kewanee coach Chuck Blake. "We've had a disappointing month here and there's no more time for excuses, we just have to play basketball."
Peoria Christian is the top seed at the Kewanee regional, followed by Farmington, Knoxville, the Boiler Girls and North Fulton.
The Boiler Girls will enjoy the friendly confines of Brockman Gym and try to remedy sluggish starts in recent outings.
"You can't dig a hole and climb out of it every time," said Blake.
"It's a regional that could be won. I think we have enough talent," added the KHS coach, "but we just haven't played well."
Monday, Feb. 4 — No. 4 Kewanee vs. No. 5 North Fulton at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 6 — No. 1 Peoria Christian vs. Kewanee-North Fulton winner at 6 p.m. and No. 2 Farmington vs. No. 3 Knoxville at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 7 — Championship game at 7:30 p.m.
The Kewanee Regional champion advances to the Orion Sectional and plays the Rockridge Regional champion at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12.
Sherrard is the top seed at the Rockridge Regional.
Class 2A Hall Regional
Bureau Valley is part of the five-team regional tourney at Spring Valley.
Monday, Feb. 4 — No. 4 Hall vs. No. 5 Bureau Valley at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 5 — No. 1 St. Bede vs. Hall-Bureau Valley winner at 6 p.m. and No. 2 Ottawa Marquette vs. No. 3 Princeton at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 7 — Championship game at 7:30 p.m.
The Hall Regional champion advances to the Somonauk Sectional and plays the Wilmington Regional champion at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11.
Aurora Christian is the top seed at the Wilmington Regional.


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Access BlackRock's Q1 2023 earnings
Our thought leadership in investing, risk management, portfolio construction and trading solutions.
In Memoriam Co-President
Charlie Hallac was Co-President of BlackRock, a member of the Global Executive Committee and Co-Chair of the Global Operating Committee.
Mr. Hallac's focus was on defining and driving the firm's strategy while developing its leaders and instilling the BlackRock culture in everything the firm does. The client businesses, investment groups and product management reported to Mr. Hallac and Mr. Kapito.
Mr. Hallac was Chief Operating Officer for BlackRock from 2009 to 2014. A co-founder of BlackRock Solutions, he previously served as head of that business. He was the initial architect of Aladdin® and many of BlackRock's operating processes and continued to be involved in the evolution of Aladdin and in improving BlackRock's technology and operations.
Prior to joining BlackRock in 1988, Mr. Hallac was an associate in the Mortgage Products Group at The First Boston Corporation. In 2001, Mr. Hallac, with his colleague, Bennett Golub, PhD, received the "Asset Management Risk Manager of the Year" award from Risk Magazine.
Mr. Hallac earned a BA degree in economics and computer science from Brandeis University in 1986.


text:
First meeting of the year is 'organizational'
The newly constituted Ionia County Board of Commissioners held its first "organizational meeting" Tuesday afternoon.
Joined by two new commissioners, Brenda Cowling-Cronk of Ionia (representing District #4) and Scott Wirtz of Fenwick (representing District #5), the board selected Julie Calley of Portland to serve as chairperson for 2013, replacing outgoing chairperson Jack Shattuck. James Banks of Lake Odessa was selected to serve as vice chairperson.
After some discussion about changing the meeting times to earlier in the day to reduce expenses in courthouse security as proposed by County Administrator Stephanie Hurlbut, the board decided to leave the times as they are: twice a month at 4 p.m. and once a month at 7 p.m.
"It's important to have at least one time the public can come (after the work day ends)," said Banks.
The board of commissioners then turned its attention to board rules and bylaws, reviewing and approving some changes suggested by the county's legal counsel, Peter Cohl, in order to be consistent with Michigan statutes; and amending before approving others. The sections affected included special meetings called by a chairperson, emergency meetings, change in schedule, quorum, grievance hearing committee composition, votes required and abstaining from voting.
The board also made appointments to standing committees, boards and commissions, as well as appointing or reappointing department heads.
In new business, the board approved a resolution to move forward with next steps in establishing an inland lake level for Ranney Lake in Otisco Township, as petitioned for by the lake's residents. The board authorized Drain Commissioner John Bush to institute proceedings in Ionia County Circuit Court. The cost of the project will be defrayed by special assessments against the property owners.
The board also approved a five-year software support maintenance agreement for a record management system used by the Ionia County Sheriff's Office and the Ionia County Jail. The program also supplies information to several local law enforcement agencies. The cost for the agreement is $35,999, with a 3 percent increase per year through 2017.
Follow Karen Bota on Twitter @KarenB_ISS.


text:
Sorry, this list does not have any peaks on it yet.
Main Peak List: Click here to see the standard peak listing, showning more informational columns and just the first ascent date.
Front Runners List: Click here to see list completion progress by climbers that log their climbs using Peakbagger.com.
Compare Climbers: Click here to compare ascents of up to 5 climbers working on this list.
About the Multiple Ascent Grid:
= Peaks climbed by Dale York = Unclimbed peaks
Due to size of list, only climbed peaks are shown on map. Click on a peak to see its name and a clickable link.
This page has been served 680579 times since 2004-11-01.


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The Best Fundraising Ideas For Your Youth Baseball Team in Oregon
Is your youth baseball team in desperate need of engaging baseball fundraising ideas? Do you want to hit a home run for your team's fundraising goals this season? Are you looking for team building baseball fundraisers to meet your team's goals while building comradery off the field?
Look no further as partnering with the Inside Baseball Coaches Clinic, grants you elite access to the best youth baseball fundraiser ideas. We offer youth baseball teams in Oregon collaborative opportunities by using our high-demand Vimeo videos. As part of our fundraising program, we offer youth baseball teams in Oregon the opportunity to buy Inside Baseball Coaches Clinic's videos to raise money for their team. Don't miss out on this exceptional fundraising opportunity!
By visiting Inside Baseball Coaches Clinic's Vimeo page, you can take full advantage of our youth baseball fundraising special!
Buy our videos and we will donate to your team as a way to promote baseball education and communities! For a limited time, you can buy the entire video playlist from our 2017 clinic for $429 and receive a discount that will reduce the price to only $329. In addition, Inside Baseball Coaches Clinic will donate 25% of the sale to your youth baseball team via PayPal. Not only will you raise money for your youth baseball team, you'll also receive expert insight from the best of the best. Talk about a great deal!
What is the Inside Baseball Coaches Clinic?
The Best Baseball Insight Anywhere
On January 11th of 2018, you have the chance to become a better player, a better coach, a better manager, or even a better groundskeeper. Our 3rd annual Inside Baseball Coaches Clinic is a three-day event that showcases a top-rated college baseball coaches delivering over 60 interactive presentations in total. You won't gain better baseball insight anywhere else!
As Babe Ruth once said, "Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." Baseball gives students an incredible way to learn discipline, teamwork, community, and the importance of hard work. These values have emerged in coaches' teams who have attended our clinic.
Grand Slam Fundraising Opportunities
Are you interested in learning more about our youth baseball fundraisers and how to get your youth baseball team involved? Are you looking for additional fundraising opportunities for your travel team, little league team, or high school team? Avoid striking out this season by contacting the Inside Baseball Coaches Clinic today!
Inside Baseball Coaches Clinic
We've got 300+ years of baseball insight, all in one location!
January 10 to January 12, 2019
The Westin Mount Laurel
555 Fellowship Road
Mount Laurel, New Jersey, 08054
Learn more and register ››
December 7 to December 9, 2018
LAX Marriott
5855 W Century Blvd
Los Angeles, California 90045
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text:
Travel and Adventure: On safari in Hawaii
By Sandra Scott
Creators Syndicate
The Un-Cruise's Safari Explorer is for people like me who never had the urge to go on a cruise ship that resembles a huge floating resort village.
On my first trip to Hawaii I wanted to see as many of the islands as possible with a focus on the wildlife and culture. While I was searching for ways to do that, I happened on the website for Un-Cruise, which travels from the Big Island to Maui to Lanai and ends on Molokai with a variety of ocean experiences and land excursions. Plus it is a luxury cruise without the need to put on airs. I learned that the Un-Cruise ship, the Safari Explorer, carries a maximum of 36 passengers and that it is all-inclusive, which meant all the shore trips, water activities, meals and libations would be included.
It sounded perfect — and it was.
The best way to see the denizens of the ocean turned out to be with the crew of the Safari Explorer. They are very knowledgeable, and they also tap into local sources for additional information. One evening Katie, from Kona Diving Co., came aboard and gave an amusing and informative presentation on manta rays. They have no teeth, she explained, but they funnel food into their mouth using their two large flaplike lobes.
After the presentation it was time to shimmy into my wetsuit for an exciting night snorkel with the mantas. Watching these huge rays doing belly-rolls was like being part of a National Geographic special. Another day I headed out on the skiff with our group and went snorkeling above the sea turtles' "cleaning stations," where the surgeonfish were cleaning the algae off the turtles in a great example of a symbiotic relationship.
On every snorkeling adventure, especially in Manele Bay (dubbed "The Aquarium") I saw beautiful yellow tangs, parrotfish and humu-humu-nuku-nuku-a'pua'a — Hawaii's state fish — which is also known as the Picasso Triggerfish. Nearly every day I saw dolphins and humpback whales. Watching whales breach and slap their fins was awe-inspiring, and a few had their newborns with them. Captain Jeff and the crew were able to recognize their old friend "Barnacle Betty," whom they had seen on the Safari Explorer's voyage to Alaska, where the whales spend the summer.
Other water activities included kayaking, paddle-boarding and diving off the platform. An exceptionally calm day allowed us to snorkel in a bay near a steamship that went aground in the 1950s. It had been used to transport goods between the islands and survived the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
Most days included a shore tour. During our trip to Kona on the Big Island our group visited Hulihe'e Palace, where I learned about King Kamehameha, the unifier of the Hawaiian Islands. In Lahaina on Maui there was the weekly handicraft market under the 100-year-old spreading banyan tree. I visited the Cultural Heritage Center and the Maui Voyaging Society, where some of us learned how to paddle a traditional outrigger canoe.
One of my favorite shore trips was to the island of Molokai. The island is a step back into the 1950s with no fast-food restaurants, no stoplights and virtually no people. The island is where Father Damien helped the lepers, and the remote former leper colony is accessible mainly by a long mule ride down the steep sea cliff. Our tour took us to Halawa Valley and Anakala Pilipo, who invited us into the valley with a "honi," the traditional greeting of touching noses and foreheads. Pilipo's family has been living in the valley for 50 generations, the longest continuous civilization known in Hawaii. While some of the others went hiking to the waterfalls, I stayed with a small group to learn about the local culture, the taro fields and how to prepare poi from Pilipo's son, Gregory.
From the moment I was greeted at the Kona airport to my drop-off at the Molokai airport a week later, I was treated to first-rate personal service by a crew that anticipated every need, including wetsuits and flippers that were a perfect fit. The Un-Cruise is a luxury cruise, but it is low-key. The attire is swimsuits and resort casual. My cabin had a queen-size bed (there are two suites) with individual climate control, a private bathroom, a comfy chair, a writing desk and a flat-screen TV where the daily schedule was posted along with information pertaining to the day's events.
The main deck is home to a cozy library, sitting salon and dining area. I enjoyed gourmet meals that used fresh, locally sourced ingredients prepared by Chef Nate at every meal. I was impressed with how easy individual dietary needs were met. Not to be outdone, Michael, the pastry chef, conjured up fantastic desserts. The libations were free-flowing with cocktails waiting on deck when the excursions returned to the ship. Awesome!
The days were packed with such great activities that I didn't have time to enjoy the alfresco hot tub or teak chaises on the bridge deck, but it was my favorite place to enjoy a glass of wine while watching the sunset. I confess I did not get up in the morning to join the yoga class and never had time to fit in my free spa treatment. Captain Jeff invited one and all to visit him on the bridge.
The Safari Explorer's small size made it possible to go where the megaships cannot. When the ship is not in the Hawaiian Islands it heads to Alaska for similar encounters with nature. Some of my fellow passengers had been so pleased with their Alaskan Un-Cruise nature expedition that they booked the Un-Cruise's Hawaiian adventure. On the last day other guests signed up for future Un-Cruise voyages to take advantage of a pre-signing discount. I wish I had signed up for one of their Baja nature cruises, and maybe I will. The offer is still good.
For information about all of the Un-Cruise sailings, visit www.un-cruise.com.


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Some days it feels like a cold wind is blowing up my skirt and I'm not wearing any knickers!
Some days it feels like a cold wind is blowing up my skirt and I'm not wearing any knickers!
Hahaha!! I'm trying real hard not to get a visual of that Pam!!
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Business News
Raise retirement age of SC, HC judges: BCI
The Bar Council of India (BCI) in a joint meeting that was held last week has unanimously reached a conclusion that there should be an immediate amendment to the Constitution and the retirement age of Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts.
"There should be an immediate amendment in the Constitution and the retirement age of Judges of High Court should be enhanced from 62 to 65 years and the age of superannuation of the Judges of Supreme Court should be enhanced to 67 years," stated BCI in a press statement. The copy of the resolution was decided to be communicated to the Prime Minister of India and Union Minister for Law and Justice for immediate action on the resolution, stated press statement by BCI.
Moreover, the joint meeting has also resolved to propose to the Parliament to consider to amend the various Statutes so that even the experienced advocates could be appointed as the Chairpersons of various commissions and other Forums.
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Business News
Rupee fell 11% in 2022, its worst since 2013
Monetary policy tightening by various central banks to contain inflation, the war in Ukraine leading to price rise for crude oil and subsequent realignment in the global energy supply chain, and strengthening of the US dollar index kept the Indian currency under pressure in 2022. The Indian Rupee has been in the news cycle for a considerable part of 2022 for its steady depreciation. In 2022, the Rupee depreciated over 11 per cent on a cumulative basis, its poorest performance since 2013 and the worst drubbing among Asian currencies — as the US Federal Reserve's aggressive monetary policy propelled the greenback. data showed. It breached the 83-mark against the US dollar in mid-October, to hit an all-time low. It has, however, performed better than most Asian peer currencies, including the Chinese Renminbi, Indonesian Rupiah, Philippine Peso, South Korean Won, and Taiwanese Dollar during the current financial year. The US Federal Reserve policy rate is now at a target of 4.25- 4.50 per cent, the highest level in 15 years, which was near zero in the early part of 2022. An increase in policy rates in the US and other advanced economies typically leads to a depreciation of the emerging markets currency such as the Rupee. "Indian Rupee has had a mixed year in 2022, as far as relative performance is concerned. During the first three months it was an underperformer due to higher oil prices. However, it came back strongly during the mid of this year, due to fall in the energy prices and aggressive intervention from the RBI. But since October, we have seen Rupee underperform its peers once again, but this time due to larger than usual demand from oil importers," said Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research at Kotak Securities. Chouhan added 2023 can be a year of two halves. In explanation, he said "the seeds of a global economic slowdown could germinate" in the first half due to tightening monetary policies and fiscal policies and the alarming situation from Covid in China. "During the second half, we expect (US) Fed and other central bankers take notice of dramatic fall in inflation and growth and lower interest rates. Interest rate cut from Fed can boost inflows into emerging markets during the second half of 2023," Chouhan of Kotak Securities said, adding that he sees Rupee versus the US dollar in a broad range of 80.00- 85.00/8.50 in 2023. However, everything is not gloom and doom for the Rupee fundamentals as the US Dollar index has fallen from the peak of 114 to around 105 currently. According to VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said: "The Dollar will stabilize and start weakening when the (US) Fed pauses by Q2 of 2023. RBI has done a good job in intervening in the forex market to stabilize the rupee and manage the forex reserves." Typically, the RBI from time to time intervenes in the markets through liquidity management, including through the selling of dollars, with a view to preventing a steep depreciation in the rupee. At the start of 2022, the overall forex reserves were at USD 633.61 billion, which is currently at USD 563.499 billion. Much of the decline can be attributed to RBI's intervention and a rise in the cost of imported goods. "The RBI intervention in forex spot market will curb any upside momentum in USD/INR rates. This will help to stabilize exchange rates around 83 – 87 in 2023," said Sumeet Bagaria, Executive Director at Choice Broking, adding that it would be interesting to see how the RBI tackles the situation. Going ahead, much of the Rupee's movement will also depend on the monetary policy action by the US Federal Reserve. "If we look ahead to 2023, the first half will still be unpredictable because the USA's terminal rate is still unknown, and the RussiaUkraine war has not yet ended. As a result, the first half of 2023 may see some additional weakness, but the second half may be better for the rupee because US interest rates may reach their peak," said Santosh Meena, Head of Research at Swastika Investmart. For 2023, Meena sees Rupee in a tight range of 80.0-83.5.
Another breather may come from the decline in international crude oil prices, which currently is trading at about USD 78-80 per barrel. It touched as high as around USD 130 per barrel earlier this year. "We expect rupee to trade on a negative note moving between 84 to even hit as low as 85 mark against the US dollar as deteriorating global risk sentiments may put downside pressure on rupee. The rupee is currently around 82.8 against the US currency. Weak global markets may lead safe haven flows towards US dollar. However, sharp fall in crude oil prices may prevent sharp downside in rupee," said Mohit Nigam, Fund Manager and Head – PMS, Hem Securities. A depreciation in Rupee too has its own share of advantages as it typically raises exporters' earnings. What is India doing to reduce the over-dependence of the US Dollar and subsequent internationalization of the Rupee? The RBI had announced various measures recently to diversify and expand the sources of forex funding to mitigate exchange rate volatility and dampen global spillovers. Of them, the major one is that the RBI has put in place an additional arrangement for invoicing, payment, and settlement of exports/imports in Indian currency in mid-July, 2022. If the mechanism fructifies then it may go a long way in internationalizing the Indian currency rupee in the long run. Talks between India and UAE are already on for a RupeeDirham-denominated bilateral trade.
Business News
RBI: Global spillovers, financial market, general risks increased
The Reserve Bank of India's latest Systemic Risk Survey (SRS) showed that global spillovers, financial market and general risks have increased, while macroeconomic risks have moderated. The survey also showed respondents' confidence in the Indian financial system further improved with 93.6 per cent of them remaining fairly or highly confident of the stability of the Indian financial system. No change is perceived in institutional risks. Monetary tightening in advanced economies, tightening of financial conditions, geopolitical risks, global growth uncertainty and growing risks from private cryptocurrencies and climate change are cited as the major contributors to the rise in the global, financial market and general risks.
The majority of the respondents saw further improvement in credit prospects for the Indian economy and remained confident about the stability of the Indian banking sector, according to RBI survey which was released on Thursday. Nearly ninety per cent of the respondents assessed that the prospects of the Indian banking sector are likely to improve or remain unchanged over a one-year horizon. The 23rd round of the RBI's Systemic Risk Survey was conducted in November 2022 to solicit the perceptions of experts, including market participants and academicians, on major risks faced by the Indian financial system. The survey also captured respondents' perception on risk to financial stability from external sector developments; segments of the Indian financial system — likely to be impacted by aggressive monetary policy tightening by advanced economies and their views on the likelihood of a global recession in 2023. More than half of the respondents assessed that the prospects of the Indian banking sector over a one-year horizon have improved. According to the survey, confidence in the stability of the global financial system marginally declined during the last six months. In contrast, confidence in the Indian financial system further improved with 93.6 per cent of the respondents remaining fairly or highly confident of the stability of the Indian financial system. Whereas, as much as 52.1 per cent of the respondents expected that the Indian economy will be impacted somewhat/to a limited extent from global spillovers. Despite global headwinds posing risks to domestic macro-financial conditions, the impact of external sector developments remained moderate as 53.2 per cent of the respondents perceived it of medium impact, RBI said in the survey. More than three-fourths of the respondents perceived that the aggressive monetary policy tightening by advanced economies would adversely impact the exchange rate, capital flows, foreign exchange reserves and bond yields.
Business News
At Rs 1.50L cr, December GST kitty 3rd-highest ever
The gross revenue from goods and services tax (GST) rose 15 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,49,507 crore in December 2022, according to government data released on Sunday. This was the third-highest monthly collection since the tax was introduced in July 2017. Experts feel with this trend, the government will be able to collect through GST more than budget estimate. The government collected Rs 1,29,780 crore as gross GST revenue in December 2021. Of the total GST collected in December, CGST was Rs 26,711 crore, SGST was Rs 33,357 crore, IGST was Rs 78,434 crore (including Rs 40,263 crore collected on import of goods) and cess was Rs 11,005 crore (including Rs 850 crore collected on import of goods), data revealed. Notably, monthly GST revenues have been more than Rs 1.4 lakh crore for 10 straight months in a row now.In November, gross GST revenue collection was Rs 145,867 crore, an increase of 11 per cent over last year's corresponding month.
Business News
The Centre launched a new integrated food security scheme on Sunday, which would give 5 kg of free food grain per month to 81.3 crore people nationwide. The scheme will provide free foodgrains beneficiaries under NFSA for the year 2023 and aims to ensure effective and uniform implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The Cabinet decided to launch a new central sector scheme to fulfil the vision of One Nation-One PriceOne Ration under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is a commitment of the government to the most vulnerable 67 per cent of the population which is 81.35 crore people covered under NFSA, according to the ministry's statement. Under the scheme, the government will provide free foodgrains to all NFSA beneficiaries namely Antyodaya Ann Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Household (PHH) persons for one year through the wide network of 5.33 lakh fair price shops across the country, according to the statement of the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution. The decision will strengthen the provisions of NFSA, 2013, in terms of accessibility, affordability and availability of foodgrains for the poor. T h e n e w i nt e g r at e d scheme will subsume two current food subsidy schemes of the department of food and public distribution (DFPD) namely food subsidy to Food Corporation of India (FCI) for NFSA, and sops for decentralised procurement states, which deal with procurement, allocation and delivery of free foodgrains under NFSA.
Free foodgrains will concurrently ensure uniform implementation of portability under One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) across the country and will further strengthen this choice-based platform. This means the ration card could be used anywhere in the country. The Centre will bear the food subsidy of more than Rs 2 lakh crore for 2023. The new scheme is aimed at bringing uniformity and clarity on food security under NFSA at beneficiary level, the ministry statement said. For implementing this scheme, the ministry had said that the secretary of DFPD had taken a meeting with all state food secretaries on December 29, 2022. The issues related to distribution of free foodgrains were discussed including technical resolutions. All states and Union Territories assured to implement the free foodgrain scheme from January 1, 2023, according to the statement. The government had issued an order to all general managers of FCI to visit three ration shops every day in different areas of their jurisdiction mandatorily from January 1 till 7 and submit a report to the DFPD nodal officer on a daily basis, in the given format for review and taking corrective action. In view of free foodgrains, an advisory is issued to the states/UTs on the mechanism to provide dealer's margin for distributing foodgrains to the beneficiaries, the ministry said.
Business News
Post 370, investment climate brightens in J&K
After witnessing decades of violence, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed tremendous changes in economic activities after the abrogation of Article 370.
After Article 370 was repealed, Jammu and Kashmir became subject to 890 central laws, while 250 unfair state legislation were eliminated. Additional 130 state legislation have undergone changes. The elimination of certain hurdles has led to a conducive business atmosphere. Due to the country's strong leadership and increased stability in the region, foreign businesses are considering investment opportunities here.
The Lulu Group, Apollo, EMAAR, and Jindal are among the few commercial organizations that have investments in Jammu and Kashmir. The UT has inked five more Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Al Maya Group, MATU Investments LLC, GL Employment Brokerage LLC, Century Financial, and Noon E-commerce, respectively. Magna Waves Pvt. Ltd. and Emaar Group, and Lulu International have also signed a single Letter of Intent.
In 2021, the Union Territory attracted investments of USD 2.5 billion, showcasing the region's vast opportunities and business potential.
Even Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with delegates from the United Arab Emirates seeking business opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir, noting that private investment bids in the Union Territory have topped Rs 38,000 crore.
The government is fully aware that investments play a crucial role in economic development because they lead to the accumulation of public wealth as well as advancements in science and technology. As a result, a framework for increasing the region's manufacturing viability and economic growth is established.
The Jammu and Kashmir government established a five-person committee on June 23 to communicate with the Minister of External Affairs regarding the G20 meetings. India is starting to get ready for the big event.
In order to promote fresh investment and bring industrial development to the block level, the J&K administration introduced a new industrial development scheme with an outlay of Rs 28,400 crore in January of last year. The new regulation, valid until 2037, also made it possible for more prominent investors to invest in J-K.
Before the repealing of Article 370, there were not many investments in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indian government is aware that investments play a key role in the economic development of any region. Hence, it is no letting stone unturned to establish a framework for increasing the region's manufacturing viability and economic growth.
Infrastructure development in the Union Territory got a big push after the abrogation of Article 370.
After the abrogation of Article 370, the execution of new roads, tunnels and other basic Infrastructure has gained momentum to ensure the overall development of J&K.
Noting that roads are now being built at twice the speed as before, the Lt Governor of the Union Territory Manoj Sinha had said there has been a radical change in its progress under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
Business News
PM to hold bilateral talks with world leaders: MEA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is looking forward to exchanging views on topical, regional and international issues at the 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO-CoHS) to be held in Samarkand.
"At the SCO Summit, I look forward to exchanging views on topical, regional and international issues, the expansion of SCO and on further deepening of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation within the Organization," read Prime Minister's Office departure statement ahead of his visit to Uzbekistan. PM Modi will attend the summit on Friday. He is expected to have bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand.
"I will be visiting Samarkand at the invitation of President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev to attend the Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)," added the statement.
Under the Uzbek Chairship, a number of decisions for mutual cooperation are likely to be adopted in areas of trade, economy, culture and tourism.
"I also look forward to meeting President Mirziyoyev in Samarkand. I fondly recall his visit to India in 2018. He also graced the Vibrant Gujarat Summit as its Guest of Honour in 2019".
Rupee fell 11% in 2022, its worst since 2013
RBI: Global spillovers, financial market, general risks increased
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Bachelor's Juan Pablo Apologizes for Anti-Gay Remarks, Blames Language Barrier
After coming under fire for saying there shouldn't be a gay or bisexual Bachelor starbecause it'd be "too hard too watch," Juan Pablo Galavis posted an apology on Facebook Saturday, blaming the language barrier for any alleged anti-gay remarks.
The Venezuelan football player and current Bachelor clarified that he didn't mean to say gay people were "more pervert," but that he meant they're just "too racy" to be on television.
Juan Pablo Galavis says gay people shouldn't be allowed on The Bachelor
"The word pervert was not what I meant to say and I am very sorry about it. Everyone knows English is my second language and my vocabulary is not as broad as it is in Spanish and, because of this, sometimes I use the wrong words to express myself," Galavis wrote. "What I meant to say was that gay people are more affectionate and intense and for a segment of the TV audience this would be too racy to accept. The show is very racy as it is and I don't let my 5 year old daughter watch it."
Galavis adds that he has "nothing but respect for gay people and their families" and that his comment was taken out of context. "Once again, I'm sorry for how my words were taken. I would never disrespect anyone," Galavis' open letter concluded.
ABC released a statement Saturday, condemning Galavis' remarks. "Juan Pablo's comments were careless, thoughtless and insensitive, and in no way reflect the views of the network, the show's producers or studio."
Listen to Galavis' full interview below. Do you think his comments were taken out of context?
View original Bachelor's Juan Pablo Apologizes for Anti-Gay Remarks, Blames Language Barrier at TVGuide.com
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As 2010 closes out this weekend, so too does one exhibition—Eye for the Sensual. It's last day is January 2, so this weekend will be your last chance to see these beautiful works of European art from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. While you're here you can also see Olmec: Colossal Masterworks of Ancient Mexico, which LA Times critic Christopher Knight named one his ten favorite exhibitions of the year.
In addition to those two, there are also six other special exhibitions on view right now. Take an opportunity to look in on some of the smaller installations we have going on right now, too. The R. B. Kitaj installation is a nice companion to Steve Wolfe on Paper; the Japanese Abstract Expressionist installation might make an interesting complement to Blinky Palermo and Color & Form in BCAM. Also inside the Pavilion for Japanese Art is The Expressive Brush—paintings created by Zen monks as a kind of medication practice.
Among the modern art permanent collection is a small installation of drawings by George Grosz, the self-proclaimed "saddest man in Europe." Take the elevator up to the top floor for Yek, do, se (1, 2, 3): Three Contmporary Iranian Artists—Bahman Jalali, Yassaman Ameri, and Samira Alikhanzadeh.
As usual, we have free docent tours every day, so you can also drop in, see what's on tour, and maybe take in a part of the collection you might not otherwise have visited. Take a chance!
Happy New Year!


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Ask George Q&A column: No cash means no frills in-flight
Q: I flew on Frontier Airlines recently and was shocked to discover that they didn't accept cash payments for in-flight TV and alcoholic beverages. Are there other airlines that don't accept cash? I was forced to declare bankruptcy last year and therefore don't carry credit cards.
A: A few other smaller airlines have also stopped accepting credit cards for drinks, entertainment, food, and other in-flight purchases. These include Aloha, Airtran, ATA, Hawaiian, and Spirit. I expect that at least some airlines will follow suit. Frontier claims that this move will speed service. Think of it this way: if you're using an airline-affiliated credit card you'll get a free trip that much faster.
Q: What's the difference between a nonstop flight and a "direct" flight? Or are they the same thing?
A: Nonstop flights are not the same as direct flights. Direct means that there is no change of planes, but the flight does make a stop. However, airlines play games with the "direct" designation, and sometimes even flights labeled direct require a change of equipment and a layover.
Q: I want to book a flight from Brussels to Venice on Ryanair. When I attempt to purchase the flight online, the site requests that I also purchase travel insurance. Is this really necessary? I'm aware that this budget airline charges a lot for checked baggage and overweight bags. Is the insurance just another scam?
A: It's true that Ryanair (www.ryanair.com), which currently flies only within Europe but one day may fly trans-Atlantic if it gets approval, charges for checked bags (about $10 per bag if prepaid in advance). It also charges about $5 per pound for any bag weighing over approximately 33 pounds (these fees are each way, not roundtrip). And you're only allowed to bring one item of hand luggage on board, weighing no more than about 22 pounds, meaning that most people end up checking luggage. As for insurance, I think you'd be better off purchasing from a well known US-based provider, such as CSA, TravelGuard, Access America, or TravelSafe. By the way, for those not familiar with Ryanair, this budget carrier often has fares within Europe for just a few cents each way, although the taxes and other fees do add up.
Q: We rented a car in Costa Rica a few years ago, and the rates seemed reasonable until you added in the mandatory insurance. We showed the rental car agent our American Express rental car coverage, but they insisted that the law required us to buy additional insurance anyway. Is this still the case?
A: From what I can gather, it is. You are required by the government to buy liability insurance, which covers you, for example, in case you hit a pedestrian, but does not cover the rental car itself. This insurance can add $10-$20 per day to the cost of the rental. Many people don't realize it, but their credit cards do not cover personal liability when renting a car, leaving them open to potentially devastating law suits (personal auto insurance on your own car may cover you in the United States, but not overseas). In addition, when renting a car in Costa Rica (and many other countries), you may be required to purchase collision damage insurance (CDW or LDW), which costs an additional $10-20 per day depending on vehicle type. But this insurance has loopholes too: as its name suggests, it covers only collisions with another vehicle. It does not cover a collision, say, with a building, nor does it cover vandalism to the vehicle. So you may want to buy additional insurance that reduces your liability to near zero. You'll also be stuck with an airport concession fee of 12 percent and a fee for additional drivers. These extra charges can easily surpass the daily rental fee itself. Almost makes you want to take a taxi everywhere or public transportation!
George Hobica is the creator of airfarewatchdog.com, an airfare listing and advice Web site. Send your questions to George at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Churches ordered to cease services, stop meeting in 'unauthorized' venues.
DUBLIN, January 21 (Compass Direct News) – Burmese authorities last week increased restrictions on Christian activity in the capital city of Rangoon and surrounding areas, including the closure of several churches, Compass sources confirmed yesterday.
Orders issued on Jan. 5 had already forced many Christians meeting in residential homes or apartments to cease gathering for worship. Officials last week ordered several major Rangoon churches, including Wather Hope Church, Emmanuel Church and the Assemblies of God Church, to cease holding services and continued enforcing the Jan. 5 ban on meetings held in unauthorized facilities.
In the late 1990s authorities stopped issuing permits for land purchase or the construction of new churches, leading many Burmese Christians to conduct services in rented apartments or office buildings, according to the Burmese news agency Mizzima.
The Kyauktada Township Peace and Development Council on Jan. 5 invited pastors from more than 100 Rangoon churches to a meeting where they were told to sign documents pledging to cease operation of their churches. About 50 pastors attended, according to Mizzima.
The documents threatened punishment, including potential jail terms and the sealing of church facilities, for pastors who refused to obey the closure orders.
Another local online news source, the Democratic Voice of Burma, claimed officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs had summoned the owners of buildings where churches met and ordered them not to rent their properties to religious groups.
Mizzima quoted an unnamed Burmese Christian who claimed that 80 percent of churches in Rangoon were affected by the order.
History of Religious Repression
Some local Christians and international observers say the crackdown is related to Christian involvement in relief efforts for the victims of Cyclone Nargis, which hit Burma in May 2008.
Despite widespread devastation and loss of life, Burma's reclusive government initially banned foreign aid but finally accepted it on condition that Burmese officials would distribute it. Christians, however, had responded immediately to the crisis, gathering relief supplies and transporting them to the Irrawaddy Delta region. Police or army officials stopped some groups, but many were allowed to proceed. At least one such group told Compass that officials likely feared the conversion of Buddhists who accepted aid from Christians.
The military junta ruling Burma promotes Buddhism at the expense of other minority religions, according to Paul A. Marshall's 2008 Religious Freedom in the World. The country's population is 82 percent Buddhist, 9 percent Christian and 4 percent Muslim, with traditional ethnic, Chinese and Hindu religions accounting for the rest.
The church closure orders may simply be an extension of Burma's existing religious policies, which elevate Buddhism in an effort to solidify national identity. Burma ranks high on lists of religious and human rights violators at several watch organizations, including the U.S. State Department, Human Rights Watch, Freedom House and Open Doors.
Documents declaring the government's intention to "stamp out" Christianity have circulated for some time. Rights organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide drew attention to one such document in a 2007 report entitled, "Carrying the Cross: The military regime's campaign of restriction, discrimination and persecution against Christians in Burma." The report summarized a 17-point document allegedly produced by an organization affiliated with the Ministry of Religious Affairs entitled, "Program to Destroy the Christian Religion in Burma."
The first point in this document declared that, "There shall be no home where the Christian religion is practiced."
A military dictatorship has ruled Burma since 1962. Following the takeover, the government renamed Burma as the Union of Myanmar and the capital city as Yangon, but many news agencies and government bodies continue to use the original names. When elections were held in 1988, with the opposing National League for Democracy clearly in the majority, the generals rejected the popular vote and used brute military force to cement their power throughout Burma. A similar show of force met hundreds of Buddhist monks who initiated mass anti-government protest rallies on the streets of Rangoon in September 2007.
While almost all Burmese citizens suffer under the regime, Christians are often singled out for specific attack or repression because of their perceived connections with the West.
Reports from various mission groups suggest Christianity is flourishing under the regime, but believers must be creative with their worship – particularly in rural areas. In reports confirmed by Compass, Christians in one state began photocopying Bibles to overcome restrictions on religious publications. Others baptized new Christians during the annual water festival, where citizens douse each other with buckets of water, ceremonially washing away the "sins" of the past year.
Heightened Security, Control
Rangoon residents say a much heavier security presence has been evident in the city since early January, when political activists began distributing anti-government leaflets, The Irrawaddy newspaper reported on Jan. 13. The leaflet drops may have contributed to the current crackdown on church gatherings, as generals suspect all organized groups of having a political agenda.
At a graduation of military students in Rangoon on Jan. 9, Vice-Senior Gen. Maung Aye, who is commander-in-chief of the army and deputy commander-in-chief of Defense Services, warned students to steadfastly uphold the country's "Three Main National Causes" to prevent "recurrences of past bitter experiences." The causes were listed as non-disintegration of the Union of Myanmar, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty.
The New Light of Myanmar, a government newspaper, reported the general as saying that, "You will have learned bitter lessons from a number of world events, in which certain States have become weaker … owing to external intervention in their conflicts."
Report from Compass Direct News